Authoritarian Managers and Unpopular Teachers should avoid the Easy Fuel™ Capless Fuel System.

I'm a big fan of Ford. Of all the American manufacturers, it is the only one that did not require a bailout. Ford has always produced fundamentally good products, and spent much of its resources on product R&D, even if they were not always available in North America.

But for the authoritarian manager, unpopular school teacher, or someone who lives or works in West Virginia, you should avoid a Ford.

Ford's Easy Fuel™ system is an innovative development that in lieu of a traditional gas cap, utilizes two self-closing flaps that seals the gas tank automatically. The driver (or if you're in NJ, the gasoline pump technician), just needs to open the fuel door and insert the nozzle. The nozzle head will push open the first seal, and then second seal, minimizing fuel evaporative emissions that pollute the atmosphere.

The capless fuel system also prevents the possibility someone will improperly insert and twist the gas cap and set off an EVAP code (one of the most common unnecessary trips to the dealer in modern cars).

Sounds great right?

Only Ford has made the business decision not to include a locked fuel door... so anyone can covertly open your fuel door, siphon gas out of it, or even worse, pour foreign liquids into your gas tank (solids will get trapped by the fuel filter). The evil individual can then close your fuel door. And when you you start the engine with the foreign liquid? Bam! Now you need to take your car to the garage for repairs. It can be as simple as flushing the fuel lines and changing the injectors, or you've suffered actual engine damage.

If you call Ford, they'll tell you that you can buy a special lockable gas cap, but that renders the Easy Fuel™ Capless Fuel System worthless. Why won't Ford just install a locking fuel door? Who knows?

Please siphon or add water to my gas tank!

So if you're an authoritarian manager, unpopular school teacher, or someone who parks in West Virginia. Either avoid Fords, or buy a locking gas cap.